Season starts
After spring games, teams return to fall
Monday marked the first day of fall practices as teams throughout Section II football returned to a normal regular-season schedule.
It did not matter if the surface Marcus Mcclaine practiced on Monday was wet grass or a dry gym floor. The Guilderland senior running back simply was thrilled to be back practicing during the fall.
Less than four months ago, Guilderland capped a magical 2020 season — one pushed back and contested during March and April because of the coronavirus pandemic — with a riveting 21-20 victory over Shaker. The Dutchmen secured the program’s first sectional title with that win.
Monday marked the first day of fall practices as teams throughout Section II football not only return to a normal regular-season schedule, but one that will include both sectionals and the state playoffs.
The Dutchmen began the morning outside, but conditions ultimately forced the team indoors.
“Despite having to be in the gym, we felt we were able to get a lot done,” Guilderland coach Dan Penna said.
“It is high school football. It is the best feeling,” Mcclaine said. “You can’t replicate a feeling like that. Hopefully, we can play in states this year after not getting that chance. That would be really nice.”
Guilderland trailed Shaker until Mcclaine hauled in a touchdown pass from Logan Broomhall to draw the Dutchmen within 20-19. Following an offside call against Shaker, Guilderland went for a twopoint conversion and scored on a run by Broomhall. The victory capped a 5-1 campaign and avenged the team’s lone loss — a 35-25 setback on March 26 at Shaker (6-1).
“We are just looking forward to getting back there again,” Mcclaine said. “This is a big opportunity. The (2020 team) was the first one to win one for Guilderland. Our names are known. We were the first ones to win. We want to repeat.”
Guilderland has three starters back on offense and five returning on defense, yet Penna has several more players that started at least one game and the veteran coach loves the level of commitment and enthusiasm his 2021 squad brings. Penna added he has not seen any complacency and likes the level of hunger his players have displayed.
“He talks about us having the targets on our backs now because we won a championship. Teams want to beat us,” Mcclaine said of Penna. “He has been preaching that to us, even to the kids that were not on the team last year.”
Shaker has been a perennial Class AA title contender since coach Greg Sheeler took over the program in 2010. The Blue Bison lost to Guilderland in the
2019 Class AA semifinals and look to once again challenge for the title. This season’s team, however, has already suffered a pair of season-ending injuries to two starting linemen during the summer.
“We are a very young team this year, so we really haven’t gotten into last year at all,” Sheeler said. “This is going to be one of our more challenging seasons. The section, at the Class AA level, is going to be very competitive.”
In addition to Guilderland and Shaker, Shenendehowa and Christian Brothers Academy are two more programs carrying title aspirations.
Shaker senior linebacker Ryan Mazzariello was a key component to both the football team and the boys’ lacrosse team reaching sectional finals during his junior season. The
University of Massachusettsbound lacrosse goalie wants another crack at both championships in his final scholastic year.
“It was hard losing all of them, but it makes you want it more. I am ready to get after it,” Mazzariello said. “We want to do it this year.”
Like most players, after the normal start of the 2020 football season was postponed, Mazzariello felt fortunate to compete on the gridiron during months usually devoted to weight training.
“We were happy to get out there and play. I was scared we would not get to play,” Mazzariello said. “I am so happy to be back at it. I am playing lacrosse in college, but this is where I want to be right now. It would mean a lot to go out on top. I will never get to play with these
guys again.”
“The spring was very challenging,” Sheeler said. “We still have to wear masks, but we are just so happy to be back here at this time.”